Non-canonical roles of Argonaute proteins in HIV-1 viral RNA expression

Non-canonical roles of Argonaute proteins in HIV-1 viral RNA expression

Speaker: Sarah Gallois-Montbrun

During its replication, HIV-1 produces more than 50 different transcripts coding for all the proteins necessary for viral particles assembly. Balanced production of viral isoforms is highly regulated both temporally and spatially. Current research in my group aims at characterizing the role of viral and cellular factors involved in HIV-1 RNA production. In particular, we investigated the role of the miRNA pathway and demonstrated that key proteins of these pathways, Argonaute 1 and Argonaute 2, participate at different levels of viral RNA production independently of the presence of miRNA. In parallel, we recently developed a long-read sequencing assay to quantify the production of HIV-1 isoforms and to decipher the cascade of splicing events taking place at early time points after infection.

Speaker bio: 

After completing my PhD studies at Pasteur Institute Paris in 2004 on cellular metabolism of anti-HIV-1 drugs, I undertook post-doctoral training with Professor Michael Malim at King’s College London. There I focused on characterizing cellular protein and RNA partners of APOBEC3G and APOBEC3F, two HIV-1 restriction factors. I was recruited as Inserm research scientist at Cochin Institute in 2009.  Since then, my group aims at dissecting mechanisms regulating HIV-1 RNA fate and how these impact on viral replication.